Dia Mirza is all for single-use-plastic ban in Maharashtra for a reason

Dia Mirza took to social media to raise awareness about the impact of plastic on the environment.

Dia Mirza is raising awareness about the impact of plastic on environment. Pictures courtesy: Instagram/diamirzaofficial; Pinterest

Bollywood actress and United Nations Environment Goodwill ambassador for India, Dia Mirza has expressed concern over a pressing issue--the use of plastics and its impact on the environment.

Recently, the actress took to social media to post a picture of plastic litter--probably clicked at some place in Maharashtra--to challenge those who have opposed the state government's ban on single-use plastic.

''All those contesting Maharashtra Government's ban on #singleuseplastics I want to ask you, WHY? How can you NOT see the damage it's doing? Shouldn't you be responsible for the waste you generate? We are drowning in plastics. Our health, water, soil, seas, nothing is spared,'' the actress captioned her post.

All those contesting Maharashtra Governments ban on #singleuseplastics I want to ask you, WHY? How can you NOT see the damage its doing? Shouldnt you be responsible for the waste you generate? We are drowning in plastics. Our health, water, soil, seas, nothing is spared. pic.twitter.com/6z5oVBjNFB

A while ago, Maharashtra government imposed a ban on plastic carry bags and single-use plastic, such as disposable plates and other items, as mentioned in a report by Indian Express.

According to the Maharashtra Plastic and Thermocol Products (Manufacture, Usage, Sale, Transport, Handling and Storage) Notification, 2018, on March 23, the government banned manufacture, usage, storage, distribution, wholesale or retail sale, import and transportation of all kinds of plastic bags (with or without handle), single use disposable items made of plastic, and thermocol.

While the decision was welcomed by many, Maharashtra Plastic Manufacturer's Association (MPMA) decided to move Bombay High Court against what they called a ''discriminatory'' plastic ban. That's because the order did not entail plastics in laminated, multi-layered packaging material, used by manufacturers of items like chips, according to reports.

A lot of them argued that while normal plastic bags were usually recycled, packaging material was not.

Lalit Gandhi, vice president, Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also warned that plastic ban in the state could render as many as three lakh people jobless.

''We fear that nearly 3,00,000 people employed may become jobless. We urged the Maharashtra government to come out with a solution to save the industry,'' he was quoted as saying by Economic Times.

For now, the state government has lifted its ban on plastic bottles, with a capacity of less than half litre, while mandating the installation of vending and crushing machines at public places, across the state.

Picture courtesy: Pinterest

So, how is plastic harmful?

Plastic is non-biodegradable. So, when plastic is disposed of on land, it makes the soil less fertile. When it is thrown in water, it chokes water bodies and harms sea life. TPlastics also clog drains which is one of the reasons behind the floods that cause havoc in Maharashtra, every time there is a heavy downpour in the state.

Dia Mirza's social-media post exposes an alarming reality. If this is the rate at which plastic litter is strewn across streets in Maharashtra (as seen in the picture she posted), it is important to regulate the use of plastic, if not ban it completely.

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